The Valaisan-type armband (a specific type of bracelet) is a typical metallurgical production from the western area of Switzerland belonging to the classic phase of the Aare-Rhone group (BzA2a, ca. 2000–1800 BC). This investigation aims to (i) characterize the metal composition, (ii) reconstruct the thermomechanical treatments applied during the manufacturing process, and (iii) gather information on the possible exploitation of the local ores coupling metallography and chemical analysis. The results show that each armband is manufactured from a hammered sheet of copper-based alloy, containing either tin (up to 3.0 wt.%) or a combination of antimony, nickel, and silver. In several cases, it is assumed that minor elements are already part of the original ore, suggesting a conscious selection of copper veins. In other armbands, a direct addition of cassiterite (SnO₂) to the copper matrix is hypothesized based on the material composition and features of the inclusions. Microstructural features are coherent with a procedure that combines mechanical deformation (with a total deformation degree between 70 and 76%), annealing, and quenching, coherently with more recent productions (Late Bronze Age). The analysis of inclusions, rarely performed during metallographic investigations, provides precious evidences on thermal treatments applied during the manufacturing process and shows that annealing was carried out at low temperatures.

中文翻译：

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瑞士西部（约公元前2200-1500年）早期青铜时代臂章的金相研究：早期制造工艺的新亮点

瓦莱桑型臂章（一种特定类型的手镯）是瑞士西部地区的一种典型冶金产品，属于Aare-Rhone集团的经典时期（BzA2a，约公元前2000-1800年）。这项研究的目的是（i）表征金属成分，（ii）重构在制造过程中应用的热机械处理，以及（iii）收集有关结合金相学和化学分析的可能开采本地矿石的信息。结果表明，每个臂章均由锤打的铜基合金制成，含锡（含量最高为3.0 wt％）或锑，镍和银的组合。在某些情况下，假定微量元素已经是原始矿石的一部分，表明有意识地选择了铜矿脉。在其他臂章中，直接添加根据材料成分和夹杂物的特性，推测出铜基质中的锡石（SnO ₂）。微观结构特征与机械变形（总变形度在70％到76％之间），退火和淬火相结合的过程与最近的产品（青铜时代晚期）相一致。夹杂物的分析很少在金相研究中进行，它为制造过程中进行的热处理提供了宝贵的证据，并表明退火是在低温下进行的。